Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Minsk hosted political consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Belarus, the Uzbek Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The delegations were led by the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan Ilkhom Nematov and the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus Andrei Evdochenko.

Analysis of relations between Uzbekistan and Belarus over the past year was carried out, and plans were made for their further development within the framework of bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

The importance of deepening political dialogue and enhancing partnership in all areas of mutual interest was noted.

The parties noted the positive dynamics of trade-economic relations. In January-November 2019, the trade turnover made up US$297 million. In this context, the readiness to increase cooperation, including by facilitating contacts between the economic structures of the two countries was confirmed.

Particular attention was paid to prospects for enhancing cultural-humanitarian interaction, including in tourism, education and information-communication technologies.

The parties discussed the issue of Uzbekistan’s chairmanship in the CIS. The Belarusian side welcomed this historic decision made by President of Uzbekistan. It assured that the Belarusian side fully supports the Uzbek presidency.

Speaking about cooperation within the framework of the UN, Belarusian diplomats expressed their full support for all Uzbekistan’s initiatives on the basis of reciprocity.

The next round of consultations is planned to be held in Uzbekistan.